Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BOWFARTS, n.pl. in phr. i(n) th(e) bowfarts, in difficulty, implying inability to rise or to free oneself. [′bʌufərts]Mry.1 1923:
“I'm fair in the bowfarts” said by a little boy who got confused in putting on his trousers.Mry.4 1935:
“Bowfarts” was used when we got into a difficulty physically or mentally from which we could not get clear (that is, by our own efforts). A person in such a difficulty was said to be in the “bowfarts.”Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 15; Bnff.2 1935:
The littlin's i' th' bowfarts. Help it up, or 't'll hurt itsel'.Abd.13 1910:
If a child goes in between its father's legs and he crosses his legs so that the child can't get out, it is in the bowfarts.
